But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. Ephesians 2:4, 5
The heart surrendered to God’s wise discipline will trust every working out of His providence…. Temptation will come to discourage, but what is gained by yielding to any such temptations? Is the soul made any better by murmuring and complaining of its only source of strength? Is the anchor cast within the vail? Will it hold in sickness? Will it be the testimony borne in the last closing scenes of life when the lips are becoming palsied with death? The anchor holds! I know that my Redeemer liveth….
O Precious, loving, long-suffering, long-forbearing Jesus, how my soul adores Thee! That a poor, unworthy, sin-polluted soul can stand before the Holy God, complete in the righteousness of our Substitute and Surety! Wonder, O Heavens, and be astonished, O earth, that fallen man is the object of His infinite love and delight. He rejoices over them with celestial songs, and man defiled with sin, having become cleansed through the righteousness of Christ, is presented to the Father free from every spot and stain of sin, “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Ephesians 5:27). “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth” (Romans 8:33).
Let every weak, tempest-tossed soul find anchorage in Jesus Christ and not become so self-centered that he can think only of his little disappointments and the interruption of his plans and hopes. Is not the subject of the plan of salvation all-absorbing? If the infinite God justifies me, “who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died” (verse 34). He has in His dying for man revealed how much He loves man—enough to die for Him! The law condemns the sinner and drives him to Christ. It is God that justifies and pardons.
Satan will accuse and seek permission to destroy, but it is God that opens the door of refuge. It is God that justifieth him that entereth that door. Then if God be for us, who can be against us? Oh, the bright glorious truth. Why do not men discern it? Why not walk in its bright beams? Why do not all who believe talk of Christ’s matchless love? …
God lives and reigns. All who are saved must fight manfully as soldiers of Jesus Christ; then they will be registered in heaven’s books as true and faithful. They are to work the works of Jesus Christ, fight the good fight of faith.—Letter 2, December 29, 1889, to W. C. White’s first wife, Mary White, who was dying of tuberculosis.
The Upward Look p. 377
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Prayer Requests
—-Tomorrow Brian’s family are going back home. Please pray for safe travels and blessings. Rose
—-Please pray for us. Buck
—-Please pray for Mr Royston’s mother. She is critically ill right now and not expected to pull through. But we know only god can heal her. May she be healed and reunited with her family again soon. Samantha
—-Please pray for my husband Anthony who is now feeling sick I was tested positive for covid-19 the 22. God is merciful to allow me to heal to take care of him. Misty
—-Please keep praying for Paulette. ( struggling with cancer now after effects of Covid). Still on ventilator. Pray specifically for her kidneys to work better! Ann
—-Esther has a doctor’s appointment to see how her broken shoulder is healing. Please pray that all is well. Also, Eileen fell down the stairs today. Please pray that she is not hurt, only jarred. Rose
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Dear Friends,
One day, as I was riding along in the car, I suddenly breathed in a lozenge that was soothing my sore throat at the moment. It lodged in my throat, so that I could not get even the tiniest breath. All that lovely air surrounding me, but I couldn’t breathe a bit of it. Ron didn’t notice my plight as he was busy driving. Suddenly, it came to me what I should do. I gave a quick sharp push on my diaphragm and out the lozenge popped. Finally I could get air into my lungs. It took several minutes before I felt like I could breathe normally again. How thankful I was that I had reacted quickly.
Just as that small lozenge blocked my ability to breathe, so a tiny cherished sin can block our spiritual “breathing.” “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isa 59:1,2 Just as that cough drop separated me from the surrounding air, so “a little leaven (of sin) leaveneth the whole lump” eventually shutting off even our desires Heavenward. Gal 5:9
How often what starts out as a little sin that did not seem to worthy of our notice, in time becomes our master. We find ourselves near death, trapped, drowning in our sin. “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isa 64:6 “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Ps 38:4
Praise God, we have a Saviour Who does not leave us in this condition! He will come swiftly to our aid. He gives us the desire to be freed from our pitiable condition. He is the One Who is mighty to save. (Isa 63:1) “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” Ps 103:2-4 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isa 53:4,5 What a Wonderful Saviour! What a compassionate Friend!
May we look ever to Him for the help that we need to be rid of those chains of sin that bind us. May we serve Him with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. May we joyfully “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” for His Great Deliverance is my prayer.
Rose